February 26, 2026
by Ed Rosequist
Happy almost March……I am looking forward to the end of winter and the beginning of “warmer” weather.
As many of you know, I am a sailor. Yes, I did serve in the Navy for 28 years, but I am not talking about that type of sailor. I started sailing small boats when I was 11 years old – well before my Navy time. My parents moved my family from the desert of Arizona to a home on a canal just off the Inter-Coastal waterway in central Florida. I discovered my love of the water and sailing as soon as we arrived. As I completed my sixth-grade year, I saved up my allowance and lawn mowing income to buy a small, single sail “Penguin” class sailboat. It was my freedom. In the following summers, I would sail that boat down the canal to the open water on the Indian River…..I would sail all day and return prior the setting sun. I was in charge of the boat, with only the wind as the energy to get me out and back. It was up to me to understand the environment and find my way. This was my early education on life and my spiritual self.
These days, I love sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Although my boat is a bit bigger and has an engine, I still have the excitement of getting “underway” and leaving the dock as I move out into the bay. I feel the wind in my face and the open water which I get to choose my course and how I navigate my voyage. Every time I get underway, the environment is different – the tide in coming in or going out, the wind is increasing or decreasing, the waves are choppy or smooth, the wind direction is north, south, east or west – but I get to choose how I steer the boat and navigate as the boat moves through the water.
As I have been discovering my spiritual self at Unity Renaissance, it is much the same as my sailing experience. I get to choose – how I connect. My experience and my navigating the spiritual offerings and discovery at Unity Renaissance allows me to have experience of my spiritual reckoning. I am able to have my individual connection with God – no “cookie cutter” process through a traditional religion or religious leader. It is my one-on-one connection. I get to steer my spiritual “boat” and have a realization of God…..in all things and present in every interaction of my life. The “tides and winds” may change, but my steadfast course is true. God is my source and I get to assess every opportunity that life provides for my spiritual growth.
If I can stay “present” in each moment, I get to focus on love and compassion. I can participate in an environment that allows me to sense the “winds” of life – I can allow my small voice, that intuition, to guide me and stay present. I do not have to engage on my history or projected desires of what’s next…..I get to stay in the “NOW”….steering a true course. Prayer and meditation allows me to stay focused……I can stay settled in my awaking. Thank you God.
In 2026, I hope you can navigate your spiritual experience at Unity Renaissance. There are plenty of opportunities – not just the Sunday service experience, but plenty of classes, workshops, groups and people to expose you in your next steps in finding God. I encourage you to take advantage of all the possibilities……you get to choose. When I first met Reverend Judi Meyers, the founding minister of Unity Renaissance, she told me to find my spiritual connection and to stay at Unity to connect with the people that continue to help me move forward in my spiritual growth. In the 32 years I have been at Unity, I keep finding Judi’s advice consistent and important to my next steps.
My wish is that you can have a similar experience to mine…..finding yourself, navigating as you find God. As Unity teaches, Easter is all about the resurrection……you can roll away the stone. God is Good -- ALL the TIME!!
Best wishes as you “sail" into Spring. Ed Rosequist